Of all the teams out there...

[YCN]

which team do you think has the best chance to get to the Final Four?

After some consideration of the matchups, I think that Texas is the single most likely team to get to next weekend. I don't see any team in their bracket that they don't match up well against.

[textom]

Tennessee has never lost a tournament game at home, and it ain't going to happen this year.

To get to the FF, Texas has to get past LSU, a team they lost to by 18 points at LSU this season. Maybe they'll do it, but it isn't as easy as Tennessee's task.

[YCN]

I disagree with the concept that because Tennesse has never lost at home in the tourney, it won't happen this year.

Why not? Just exactly what is it that makes Tennesse immune to the same misfortune suffered by Stanford. There is a great deal to be learned from history, but to assume that history is the final answer is to ignore the tendency of history to branch into territory unknown, at times no one can predict.

The fact that Tennessee had very mediocre attendance in the first two rounds tells me that they have become fat and complacent with their astonishing good fortune of hosting probably over half of all their NCAA tournament games over the last 10-15 years.

This isn't the old days. Old Dominion is gone, and I guarantee you that the hours are numbered for La. Tech. Don't think for a minute that the Vols are unbeatable at home.

They most assuredly aren't.

[dem]

I think YCN is correct: it is really wrong to think the Lady Vols are unbeatable at home. A couple of years ago an unheralded Saint Mary's team with a fearless point guard (Corrie Mizusawa) scared the stuffing out of them on their home floor. If a good and well-coached team comes in with a nothing-to-lose attitude and puts pressure on them early, it could get VERY interesting. I would have been much more optimistic with last year's Colorado team, but it still is not out of the realm of possibility.


Unlikely though.

[35TangoTango]

If Tennessee has a weakness, it is in Post play and particularly post defense. I think Bjorkland can make things real tough for the Vols.

I don't see anyone out there that can stop UConn IF they play well.

But with the demise of Stanford, Texas now has the home court advantage (what kind of reception will Jamie get?), and the Texas playing now is much improved over the team that lost at LSU!

[textom]

Sounds like you believe, assuming Texas gets past Minnesota, that beating LSU (a team that beat Texas by 18 points) is an easy task for Texas on a neutral court.

Why do you believe that task is easier than Tennessee winning on their home court against Penn State and the winner of Vanderbilt-Colorado, three teams that aren't as good as LSU? Which of these teams do you believe will beat Tennessee in Knoxville?

[dem]

I would say this: Texas has been playing as well as any team in the country, and LSU is clearly vulnerable (see the Wisc-Green Bay game). If Texas can get by Minnesota (NOT guaranteed!) and if LSU gets by Tech (also not guaranteed), Texas -- I'll bet -- WILL have the home court advantage with Jamie Carey on the floor. I'd give them even money over LSU, at least.

Tennessee clearly is the favorite to win their Regional. But I wouldn't write off the other teams' chances. All of them have a shot, and Colorado -- after crushing two very solid teams -- has as good a shot as any. Maybe it's only 15-25%, but stranger things have happened.

[Go Buffs]

There is a very quiet confidence among the CU players this week. I can't explain it, but it's something I haven't really seen much of all year. They have matured so much since laying eggs in Manhattan, Columbia, and Austin, to where they should not be affected by the Tennessee home court. Again, I am thankful how the the Big 12 season games really prepares all of the teams for post-season play.

First things first though, Villanova is a tough match-up for ANY team, but I think CU really matches up better with them than just about any other team in the country.

I can't wait to see Maria Billingsley's stifiling defensive abilities go up against a another great player in Villanova's Trish Juhline. In CU's first meeting with Villanova back in November, Maria only played 5 minutes, and was not the confident player she is now.

[grojc]

Maybe what most people don't know is that Texas let that LSU game for the first 30 minutes and then collapsed. And the game was at LSU. The score is not indicative of what happened. But I'm much more worried about Minnesota. Texas hasn't played a team like this all season as far as I can tell, except maybe Colorado. And Colorado was not the blowout at the Big 12 tournament that the score indicated.

I think the advantage that LSU, Texas, Tennessee, and La Tech have over Colorado, Minnesotta, Villanova, Penn State is the ability to play at a faster pace throughout the game.

[swok34]

First things first though, Villanova is a tough match-up for ANY team, but I think CU really matches up better with them than just about any other team in the country.

I agree, and with Tera playing as well as she has, that's a major plus. I was surprised how well Villanova rebounded without a true "tall" player.

I think the Midwest will be interesting. Texas Tech opening with New Mexico...and the winner probably gets Duke. And I think the LSU/Texas matchup (assuming seeds hold) will be one of the best of the regional finals. Really don't see anyone in Connecticut's region beating them.